American Journal of Medicine Guide for Authors: Required Components for AJM Submission
Thank you for considering The American Journal of Medicine. Please use the following instructions as a
guide. When formatting your manuscript for submission, also please refer to a recent issue of the Journal to
view the types of articles that are accepted for each section. The editors reserve the right to move your
manuscript to a section for which it is better suited.
Submissions that do not conform to the Journal’s specifications for word limit and/or format may be sent back
to the author for correction before peer review.
Although there is a designated word limit for each type of submission to AJM, authors may be asked to shorten
their text. AJM editors prefer tightly written articles. Longer, more scientific articles may be published online
in their entirety, with only an abstract printed in the journal. Article types may have different table or figure
limits (see Guide for Authors); please include only the data and images that are necessary to illustrate the
manuscript.
All manuscripts must be submitted through the Journal’s online submission and review system available at
http://www.ees.elsevier.com/ajm. No paper or e-mail submissions will be accepted. Technical support for
authors is available.
Clinical Research Study
Abstract Structured abstract required (use only the following subheads: Purpose, Objective, or
Background; Methods; Results; Conclusions). The maximum word count for structured
abstracts is 250 words. If your manuscript is accepted for AJM Online, only the abstract
will be printed in the journal. Please make sure that your abstract concisely explains
your manuscript.
Word Limit 3000 words, including abstract, text, and acknowledgements, but NOT including tables,
references, or the title page. Please limit the number of references to approximately 40.
Cover Letter State type of manuscript, the title, and the authors. Confirm that the manuscript is
original research that has not been published and is not under consideration elsewhere.
Confirm that all of the authors participated in the preparation of the manuscript.
Confirm that you have permission to reprint any figures or tables that were initially
printed elsewhere.
Title Page The title page is the first page of your manuscript text file. The title page should
include: the title of the manuscript; a complete list of authors, their degrees, and their
academic affiliations; full contact information for the corresponding author; funding
source(s); conflict of interest statement for all authors; verification that all authors had
access to the data and a role in writing the manuscript; article type; key words; and
running head.
Clinical In a separate document, include a maximum of 3-4 bullet points that succinctly and
Significance specifically explain the clinical significance of your manuscript (findings of your
study). Bullets should provide readers with your manuscript’s “take home” messages
for practicing internists. Do not restate information that would be considered common
knowledge. Do not call for additional research in this area. (Maximum 70 words.)
Conflict of Interest In a separate document, state any potential conflicts of interest for each author or
confirm that there are none. Each author should sign the document. Electronic
signatures are acceptable, typed signatures are not.
(8/15/17)
Focus The manuscript should focus on new research that is clinically relevant to the practicing
internist. To qualify as a Clinical Research Study, the manuscript must detail research
that involved more than 100 subjects. Studies with 100 or fewer subjects should be
submitted as Brief Observations. If your manuscript is a case study, it should be
submitted as a Clinical Communication to the Editor. Meta-analyses should be
submitted as Clinical Research Studies.
Photos/Illustrations 300 dpi (or greater) tiff or jpeg files are required for publication. If high resolution
images are not available, your manuscript may be rejected for this reason. Do not use
Word, Power Point or PDF format for photographs or illustrations. No extra charge is
levied for full-color figures.
Line Art Figures Line art figures can be submitted in Microsoft Word or Power Point. Any text included
in a figure must be at least 12 point but not more than 14 point. Similar figures should
be formatted in the same fashion. No extra charge is levied for full-color figures.
Tables/Figures No table or figure limit (within reason). The editors reserve the right to require deletion
of tables or figures that are deemed unnecessary. Provide legends for all Tables and
Figures.
References Superscript all references in numerical order in the text. Place references as endnotes in
order of appearance in the text. Make sure all references listed in the endnotes are cited
in the text.
Other Manuscript titles should run to no more than 20 words in length.
Provide your manuscript as a Microsoft Word document. Double space all text.
Use the American Medical Association Manual of Style as a reference.
Avoid overuse of acronyms in the text. Use only well-known acronyms (ie, HIV, STD,
CT, MRI, DNA, COPD, etc.) Manuscripts with an overabundance of acronyms will be
sent back to the author for correction.
If English is not your native language, AJM editors strongly encourage you to have
your text edited by a professional translator or native English speaker before
submission. (This will most likely eliminate an extra revision step.)
Manuscripts may be accepted for print or online-only publication. The editors will
determine the format.
(8/15/17)
